**Policy Summary: Doorstep Delivery of Foodgrains under the Public Distribution System (PDS)**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 251, regarding the implementation of doorstep delivery of foodgrains under the Public Distribution System (PDS), specifically concerning rural and remote regions, including Jalgaon, Maharashtra, and provisions for differently-abled and elderly beneficiaries. The response was given on August 6, 2025.
The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution clarified that the PDS operates under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), with joint responsibilities between the Central and State/Union Territory (UT) Governments. The operational responsibilities, including the delivery of foodgrains up to the doorstep of fair price shops, rests with the State Government. Currently, the NFSA does not include a provision for delivering foodgrains directly to beneficiaries' doorsteps.
Regarding special provisions for differently-abled and elderly beneficiaries (above 65 years without an adult family member linked to the ration card), the response indicates that beneficiary identification occurs under two categories: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households identified by the State Government and priority households identified by State/UT Administrations. No special provision exists under the NFSA for differently-abled and elderly beneficiaries. Furthermore, there is no proposal or scheme for doorstep delivery of foodgrains for these beneficiaries under consideration by the Government at this time.
Key Entities Referenced
Public Distribution System (PDS): A government-managed system for distributing food and other essential commodities to the needy at subsidized prices.
Maharashtra: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of doorstep delivery of foodgrains in rural and remote regions.
Jalgaon: A region within Maharashtra, specifically mentioned in the context of doorstep delivery of foodgrains.
National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA): An Act of the Parliament of India which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the country's population.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: A ministry in the Government of India responsible for matters relating to consumer affairs, food, and public distribution.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): A scheme under the Public Distribution System in India, aimed at providing highly subsidized food to the poorest families.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the starred question was raised.
SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI: Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food Public Distribution and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, responsible for answering the question.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 251
TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025
DOORSTEP DELIVERY OF FOODGRAINS
*251. SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH:
SHRI JASWANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a): whether the Government proposes to implement doorstep delivery of
foodgrains under the Public Distribution System (PDS) across the States particularly
in rural and remote regions of Maharashtra including Jalgaon;
(b): if so, the detailed framework and modalities thereof;
(c): whether any special provision or scheme has been introduced for differently-
abled and elderly beneficiaries (above 65 y9ars) who do not have an adult family
member linked to the ration card;
(d): if so, the details of such scheme including coverage, implementation status and
the name of States/districts included therein; and
(e): the expected timeline by which the said scheme is likely to be fully rolled oul
across the country and specifically in the Jalgaon region?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION AND
MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the HouseSTATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) of STARRED
QUESTION NO.251 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 06.08.2025 IN THE LOK SABHA.
(a) & (b): The Public Distribution System (PDS) is now governed as per the provisions
of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFS A). The PDS under the Act is operated under
the joint responsibility of the Central and the State/UT Governments, wherein the operational
responsibilities including lifting of foodgrains from the designated depots, further
transportation & handling within the State, delivery of foodgrains upto the door step of fair
price shops through authorised agencies, identification of beneficiaries, issuance of their
ration cards and distribution of foodgrains to beneficiaries as per their entitlements through
fair price shops rests with the State Government. There is no provision under the Act for
delivery offoodgrains at the door step of beneficiaries.
(c) to (e): Under the Act, identification of beneficiaries is under two categories--
households covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) identified by the State
Government to the extent specified by the Central Government as per the guideline
applicable for the said scheme and the remaining households as priority households to be
identified by the State Governments/ Union Territories (UT) Administrations as per criteria
evolved by them, within the coverage determined for the State/UT. There is no special
provision under the Act for differently-abled and elderly beneficiaries.
Further, at present, no proposal or scheme for door step delivery offoodgrains
for differently-abled and elderly beneficiaries, is under consideration of the Government.
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